Just days after releasing a new set of running and surfing watches to compete with the likes of the Garmin Instinct 2, Casio has revealed yet another new batch of rugged G-Shock devices – this time taking design cues from sand and soil.
As Casio fan blog G-Central reports, the Sand and Land (SL) series feature earthy hues inspired by the earth in different locations around the world, from gray rock to red clay. Each watch uses a mix of two different colors in the bezel and band, and no two are identical.
There are five watches in the lineup. The G-Shock GA-2200SL-5A and GA-2200SL-8A are brown and gray respectively, with dual digital-analog faces surrounded by external screws. The GW-B5600SL-4 and GW-B5600SL-5 are red and brown, with the classic octagonal G-Shock face and solar glass for extra long battery life.
The big time
The most interesting of the set, however, is the king-size G-Shock GX-56SL-4. This extra-large watch has a clay red case, and measures 55.5 x 53.6 x 17.5mm. Casio rarely releases watches this hefty, and its size means you can see much more data at a glance than with a more compact device.
Japanese site Livedoor, which secured photos of the watches, claims that this model will also feature solar charging, as well as shock absorption thanks to a soft silicone material called Alpha Gel.
Unlike the best GPS watches, none of these will allow you to track your speed and pace on runs, but if you prefer to run unencumbered and just want a tough and reliable timepiece for use in tough conditions, they're well worth considering once international prices and release dates are announced.
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